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News |
 Clinton
is coming home today: On September 16, Boundary
Ambulance personnel shared an intense call with the community, a
call nobody wants to hear come over the radio. They were
dispatched for an unresponsive four-year-old boy. While en route,
the child stopped breathing, and shortly after suffered cardiac
arrest. A South Boundary Fire Protection District firefighter
arrived on scene approximately two to three minutes after the
child’s heart stopped beating, and without hesitating began
life-saving compressions. |
Surplus BFHS drafting tables being given away
The Boundary County School District #101 Board of Trustees has
approved giving surplus Bonners Ferry High School drafting tables
for free to community members. Anyone interested, should call the
high school at (208) 267-3149 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday to schedule a pick up. |
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Staples resigns as
mayor: On Friday, September 22, Dick Staples
submitted his resignation as Mayor of Bonners Ferry, citing a
potential conflict of interest that involves the appointment of
his son as manager of Mirror Lake Golf Course at the end of the
year when current golf pro Ralph Lotspeich's contract expires and
he steps down. Staple's resignation took effect at 5 p.m. that
day. City council president Rick Alonzo is acting mayor and set to
be appointed Mayor at Tuesday's city council meeting. |
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Red Cross in
critical need of blood donations: The American Red
Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as the national blood
supply is dwindling after a lack of donations this summer.
Hurricane Idalia and other events have strained the supply. Donors
of all blood types are urgently needed to ensure patients receive
critical medical care. The American Red Cross is also calling
specifically for platelet donors and type O blood donors. |
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Branden Durst resigns:
After a tumultuous three months since the since the West Bonner
County School District appointed him superintendent, Branden
Durst, an analyst for the Idaho Freedom Foundation, today tendered
his resignation, his end date to be at the discretion of the
school board. |
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Boundary County First
Judicial District Court Dispositions |
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LAUNCH grants go live
October 3, sign up now for alerts: The application
window for the Idaho LAUNCH grants opens October 3, and Idahoans
can sign up now at
https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch to get notified when high
school seniors are able to apply. Idaho LAUNCH is an education and
training grant program that was expanded this year to provide
graduating high school seniors a one-time opportunity to have
80-percent of their tuition and fees paid for after high school,
up to $8,000. |
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Reading on a rainy morning ... |
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| Students picking and reading books during free
time on a rainy morning at Valley View Elementary. Is
there anything more beautiful? Give them credit ... trust
them. |
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Bonner County RCC censure attempts against
commissioners fail with national news cameras rolling
On Tuesday night at the Bonner County Republican
Central Committee meeting, two votes to censure county
commissioners failed; Luke Odmodt (left), by a vote of 7
yes, 22 no, and Steven Bradshaw (right), 11 yes to 18 no.
The petitions were originally submitted to chair Scott
Herndon for their alleged failures "to support the United
States and Idaho Constitutions and the Idaho Republican
Party Platform.” Read more at
https://bonnergop.org/news-2.
In addition, Spencer Hutchings was voted off the central
committee as treasurer. It was standing room only as well
over 100 people showed up. An NBC news crew was in
attendance as well, filming a segment on extremism in
politics. |
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No county general election
November 7 ... |
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| Moyie Springs Mayor Steve Economu tendered his
resignation at Tuesday's city council meeting due to
health issues, and council member Geoff Hollenbeck, left,
was sworn in as the city's new mayor. In turn, Hollenbeck
swore in Pat Stevens, right, who was in the running for a
council seat in the November 7 Boundary County general
election. City clerk Donna Wilson-Funkhouser looks on.
With his appointment, there are no contested races to
decide in November, hence no county election. |
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Bingham County GOP sues
Idaho Republican Party: The Bingham County Republican
Central Committee’s executive committee has filed a lawsuit
against the Idaho Republican Party to block Idaho GOP Chairwoman
Dorothy Moon from stepping in to fill county leadership
vacancies. The lawsuit appears to represent another example of the
divide within the Republican Party between Moon and her allies in
state leadership and the longtime establishment wing of the
GOP. |
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Boundary County First
Judicial District Court dispositions |
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A clarion call from
13 presidential centers; save our democracy: In an
unprecedented cry of warning, 13 of the 14 U.S. Presidential
Centers earlier this month issued a joint statement calling on the
nation to reaffirm its embrace of the principals of our democratic
republic as enunciated in the founding documents that established
our nation's form of governance, that we return to civility and
honesty in our governmental discourse, and to restore trust in
public service. |
 Quick
CPR saves county four-year old: At approximately 8:42
a.m. today, Boundary Ambulance was dispatched for an unresponsive
child a distance away from their nearest station. While en route,
a dispatcher updated EMS that the child was no longer breathing.
South Boundary Fire and Boundary County Sheriff’s deputies were
closer and on scene before EMS arrived, and able, with their
training and assistance from medics via radio, to initiate
high-quality CPR within minutes of the child’s reported arrest. |
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End of watch
At 3:09 p.m. today, September 16, 2023, a Boundary
County Sheriff's dispatcher officially sounded 10-42, end
of watch, for 30-year South Boundary Fire District
Firefighter Wes Portrey, who died of cancer September 9
and whose funeral was held this afternoon. Thank you for
your service, sir, your dedication to service and for your
fine example. |
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 Last
Second Harvest food distribution of season set:
Wednesday, October 4, the Boundary County Fairgrounds will be the
site for the final free mobile food distribution of the season.
Second Harvest and volunteers will distribute at the west end of
the fairgrounds from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. |
 Free
car seat check events for Child Passenger Safety Week:
A car seat is the most important seat a child will ever sit in.
National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 17- 23, is right
around the corner and a great time to make sure your child’s car
seat fits. The Safe Start Car Seat Team will be in Boundary County
Saturday, October 7, at South Boundary Fire Station 1, 20
Stagecoach Road, Naples. Last year in Idaho there were 1,943
crashes involving a child passenger between birth and six years
old. |
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Moyie
Springs City Council special meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, September
19, city hall. |
 Get
ready for the respiratory virus season: Kids are back
at school. Weather is cooling down. And it’s respiratory virus
season. This fall and winter, we can expect flu, COVID, and RSV to
be circulating along with the usual colds and bugs. Each year, the
flu vaccine is updated to match the circulating flu viruses.
Typically flu vaccines protect against the three or four viruses
that research suggests will be most common for that flu season.
Since flu viruses are constantly changing, the vaccine is updated
to provide the best protection. |
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Fire weather watch Sunday:
The National Weather Service, Spokane, has issued a fire weather
watch for North Idaho and parts of eastern Washington, in effect
Sunday afternoon and evening as a dry cold front pushes across the
region, bringing breezy conditions and low relative humidity
conducive to quick wildfire starts and spread. |
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Boundary
County School District 101 board meeting, 5 p.m. Monday, September
18, district office. |
 Creston
teacher facing multiple sex charges: A teacher from
Kootenay River Secondary School in Creston has been arrested for
allegations of sexual offences against two students. On September
8, Kianuko Wayne Louie was formally charged with sexual
exploitation, sexual assault, criminal harassment, extortion,
telecommunications to lure a child under 18, and possessing child
pornography under the Criminal Code of Canada. |
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Former Idaho Gov. Butch
Otter endorses open primary ballot initiative: Former
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter endorsed the open primary ballot initiative
today, becoming the highest profile member of a group of more than
100 Republicans who support the initiative. During a press
conference this morning at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise,
leaders of a coalition called Idahoans for Open Primaries
announced that Otter and former Idaho First Lady Lori Otter were
among a list of 116 Republicans who have signed on to endorse the
open primary ballot initiative. |
 IPNF
controlled burns to begin: Due to the recent shift in
temperatures and precipitation, favorable conditions are
forecasted in the coming weeks to provide prescribed burning
opportunities across the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
Multiple prescribed burning projects are planned this fall,
although the exact day of ignitions will depend upon conditions
aligning with safe implementation. Prescribed burning is part of
each Ranger District’s annual natural resource management program
to reduce hazardous fuels, prepare areas for tree planting, and
improve wildlife forage. |
 Trump
first to file for Idaho GOP 2024 presidential caucus:
The Idaho Republican Party is pleased to announce the first filing
of a declaration of candidacy with the Idaho Republican Party for
the 2024 Presidential Caucus. Former President Donald J. Trump
officially submitted his declaration of candidacy to Idaho
Republican Party headquarters earlier today, expressing his
dedication to addressing the critical issues facing our country
and championing the values and principles that Republicans hold
dear. |
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Paving planned between
Labrosse Hill and Eisenhower Street: Beginning
September 18, crews plan to begin a two-week daytime paving
operation on U.S. Highway 95 between Labrosse Road and Eisenhower
Street in Bonners Ferry. The most significant impacts are
anticipated to be between September 18-28 when the continuous
paving work will temporarily affect business and side road access
while the asphalt mat is laid and cured in front of driveways.
This process typically takes one to two hours and alternate access
routes will need to be used during these times. |
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Events & Entertainment |
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Spiritsong,
Boundless to perform 'Draw the Circle Wide:' An
international choral festival in Cuba in November and a
performance at Carnegie Hall in April make this a banner year for
the "Spiritsong" and "Boundless" choral ensembles under the
direction of Vicki Blake Thompson. Come celebrate with them at
their performances of “Draw the Circle Wide” at 7 p.m. Friday
October 20 and 3 p.m. Saturday, October 21 at the Historic Pearl
Theater. |
 Spool
Effect to play benefit for new skate park: Spool
Effect will be playing a benefit you won't be able to sit still
for from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, September 30, at the Pearl Theater,
7160 Ash Street, Bonners Ferry. And your suggested $5 admission
donation will go right back to the community, helping the the
Skatepark Alliance of Bonners Ferry build a new skate park. Spool
Effect is made up of three musicians with a love for diversity in
musical styles and openness for improvisational music. |
 Fit
and Fall Proof class going to three days a week: The
Fit and Fall Proof® exercise class for seniors has been going
strong all summer. Beginning the week of September 18, the class
will resume its three times a week schedule. The class is held at
the VFW Hall at the Senior Hospitality Center, 6635 Lincoln
Street, Bonners Ferry. This hour-long class will be held on
Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:45 a.m. and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. |
 Thrillusionist
to perform benefit for the Panida: Thrillusionist
David DaVinci will put on his amazing show to benefit the Panida
Theater in Sandpoint at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 7, going beyond
reality and stopping just short of insanity! DaVinci is not a
magician and not just an illusionist, but a thrill-seeking,
mind-bending master of prestidigitation who creates an alternate
world of fascination. |
 Boundary
County Bear Fair coming: Our beautiful region is home
to the majestic bear, and what better way to honor our shared
space than by coming together to learn, share and grow, and the
Kootenai Resource Initiative has curated a special day for our
tight-knit community, the Boundary County Bear Fair, kicking off
at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 30, at the Boundary County
Fairgrounds. |
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Business |
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Disaster loans
available for small businesses: Small nonfarm
businesses in seven Idaho counties and neighboring counties in
Montana and Washington are now eligible to apply for low‑interest
federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business
Administration, announced Director Jeffrey Lusk of SBA’s Disaster
Field Operations Center-West. These loans offset economic losses
because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following
primary counties that began July 11. |
 Pearl
Theater lands $20,000 grant: The board of the
Historic Pearl Theater is thrilled to announce that they are
recipients of a $20,000 grant from Innovia and the Equinox
Foundation for the purpose of expanding artistic impact in
Boundary County for the 2023-24 season. As an historic performing
arts venue, the Pearl supports the arts by engaging emerging
artists and bringing well-known performers to Bonners Ferry. |
 Brothers
launch Ground Breakers yard care service: Three hard
working young Bonners Ferry brothers; Ethan, 14, Hunter, 12, and
Ammon Matthews, 10, have launched "Ground Breakers," offering
Bonners Ferry businesses and residents full lawn care, tractor and
excavator services through the summer break, working to learn and
hone their business skills and to raise money for college. |
 Deep
Creek Farm Stand a throwback to a more neighborly time:
The sign says it's a farm stand, its Facebook page says it's a
grocery store, but Deep Creek Farm Stand is far, far more than
either. Nestled in the beautiful cedars of the former home and
studio of Boundary County icons Lew and Jean Mace, it is now a
uniquely wonderful "community friendly, happening place," where
customers are trusted and the products a testament to the amazing
talents and skills of our Boundary County neighbors. |
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Social |
 Nordheim
honored by Juvenile Justice Association: Boundary
County Juvenile Probation Officer Jessica Nordheim is in Nampa
today, where she's being honored with the Idaho Juvenile Justice
Association's Commitment to Service Award for her demonstrated
dedication, leadership and teamwork. |
 Tyler
Brown graduates POST Academy: Boundary County
Sheriff’s Detention Deputy Tyler Brown recently graduated from
Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Detention
Academy #92 in Meridian, Idaho. During the academy they receive
235 hours of specialized training. |
 Seven
county students graduate U of I: The University of
Idaho is pleased to release the list of graduates from Spring 2023
Commencement. A total of 1,566 degrees were awarded to 1,457
students, which includes 1,004 bachelor’s degrees, 315 master’s
degrees and 47 doctoral degrees. In-person ceremonies were held in
May in Moscow, Boise and Idaho Falls. Seven Boundary County
students were awarded degrees. |
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Seven local
students on NIC Dean's List: North Idaho College
recently announced its Dean’s List for spring semester 2023.
Students eligible for the NIC Dean’s List must be enrolled in a
minimum of 12 credits and obtain a grade point average of 3.75 or
above. Seven Boundary County students were honored. |
 Belden,
Florea to wed: Becky Lynne Belden and Scott Andrew
Florea will be married at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15, in the Jantz
Barn, 301 Deer Park Road, Bonners Ferry, off Highway 95 10 miles
north of Three Mile Junction. A country celebration potluck will
follow. |
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Sports/Outdoors |
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A primer on Idaho
trespassing laws for hunters: Hunters, anglers and
other sportsmen and women should be aware of Idaho trespass laws
before they head into the field. Trespass laws changed in 2018,
and even though that feels like forever ago, it's still worthy of
a reminder. Here are some basic things to remember ... |
 Kootenai
Valley Junior Rifle Club places fifth in the nation:
In the spring of 2023, members of the Kootenai Valley Rifle Club
(KVRC) shot in the NRA Sectional rifle match at their home range.
They were joined by teams from Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene. A
Sectional match is one in which a shooter obtains their national
ranking. Matches are held across the United States, the scores are
sent into the NRA, then combined with others to see how everyone
did. After months of waiting the results are in. |
 Badger
harriers do well at home: Sophomore Micah Thomson ran
his best time so far this season to lead the way for the boys
cross country team as the Badgers hosted Priest River, Kellogg and
Coeur d'Alene Charter in the Bonners Ferry Invitational with a
time of 19:53 for an eighth place finish. Nathan Russell, a CdA
Charter senior, won the event with a time of 17:18. Cole Phillips
posted a new personal record overall, which was made even sweeter
by a great kick at the finish |
 Fry
Foundation's 15th golf tourney a resounding success:
The Fry Healthcare Foundation is delighted to announce the
tremendous success of its 15th annual Golf Tournament, made
possible by the generous support of local sponsors and
participants. This year's event, held on August 18 at Mirror Lake
Golf Course, proved to be a remarkable demonstration of community
spirit and dedication. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our
valued sponsors who played a pivotal role in making this event a
resounding success. |
 Strikers
gold finalists for Pend Oreille Cup: The Sandpoint
Strikers 2009/2010 girls soccer team were U15/U14 gold finalists
in the Pend Oreille Cup in Sandpoint on Sunday. Girls from Bonners
Ferry, Naples, Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene compete on the team.
Coach Jon VanGesen and players Abigail VanGesen, Avah Archibald
and Marley Pauls all hail from Boundary County. |
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Letters & Opinion |
 Beware
the Durst 'resignation:' I was so grateful to read
that Branden Durst appeared to be stepping down as superintendent
of Priest River Schools after a brief but vexing and tumultuous
tenure that I, like many pundits, failed to thoroughly read the
letter he submitted today to the West Bonner County School Board
and the general public, via what was once Twitter. Reasonable
people bravely hoped the man had an epiphany ... That he saw the
errors of his ways and was ready to atone. On second reading, I
fear it's not so. By Mike Weland |
 KCRCC’s
“vetting” scam: Yes, I’m back at it after a wonderful
summer of family celebrations and travel. It has been great to
ignore the political angst and focus on what is truly important in
life. We are so blessed to live in Idaho! But now we are
approaching the election season again. The November 7 elections
will include city councils and school boards, but not NIC, as they
are next year. By Mary Souza |
 Extreme
right-wing radicals stick together like flies on a dead fish:
Brandon Durst and other members of the radical Idaho Freedom
Foundation must be defeated. Durst is a long-time member of IFF,
serving as their senior analyst for education policy. Senator
Scott Herndon is a charter member of the Idaho Freedom Caucus and
is Idaho’s top ranked senator, according to Idaho Freedom
Foundation. Durst, Herndon and the IFF saw WBCSD as their test
cast to dismantle a public school district. By Tony McDermott |
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Correcting lies
in Perez letter: During last week’s signature
gathering, Michael Perez came up to me, introduced himself as the
author of a letter to the editor in the Bonners Ferry Herald
claiming that “the vast majority of funding (of Reclaim Idaho, the
main grass-roots citizens group supporting the Open Primaries
Initiative) comes from out-of-state Democratic Party interests.” I
said that was wrong, and he replied that he had “done the
research” to back up his statement in his letter. By Clarice
M. McKenney |
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Closed primaries
deprive vets of voting rights: According to the VA,
there are nearly 128,000 military veterans in Idaho. We represent
nine percent of Idaho’s adult population, which is one of the
highest rates in the U.S. Some Idaho vets come from families that
have been here for generations, and some settled in Idaho after
their service. We are as diverse and independent as our fellow
Idahoans and care deeply about this great state. By Todd
Achilles et al |
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Obituaries |
 Gladyce
Coble died September 13, 2023 at the age of 97 in the
loving care of the entire staff at Sunset Home Assisted Living.
She was born April 3, 1926, in Taylor, Nebraska, to Jacob and
Amelia Strohl. She joined a family of three much older brothers
making her the delight of the family. |
 Dale
Lamar Olsen, born March 24, 1939, left us peacefully
September 22 surrounded by family. His service will be at 5 p.m.
Friday, September 29, at the LDS church, 6568 Alderson Lane,
Bonners Ferry. |
 Richard
"Dick" Moots, born November 3, 1933, in Lamberton,
Minnesota, peacefully passed away on September 11, 2023, in Moyie
Springs. A memorial service to celebrate Dick's life will be held
at 11 a.m. Friday, September 29, at Bonners Ferry Second Day
Adventist Church, 513353 US-95. All who knew and loved him are
welcome to join in honoring his memory. |
 Evelyn
Marie Huff Dinning passed away on September 10, 2023,
at Boundary Community Hospital at the age of 93. A memorial
service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 30, at United
Methodist Church, 6568 Lincoln Street, Bonners Ferry. |
 Denzel
Hassan Tucker, 24, passed away on August 14, 2023,
after a tragic car accident. Denzel was born October 15, 1998, in
Kambia, Rosinnoh Village of Sierra Leone, Africa. Private family
services have been held, and a celebration of life on his birthday
October 15 is planned, with time and location pending. |
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